RICHMOND – Timothy D. Gilbert has been elected dean at Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, a post he will assume on July 1.
For nearly 30 years, Gilbert has been a professor of philosophy at Tarrant County College in Fort Worth, Texas, where he also has served as divisional dean and associate vice chancellor for academic affairs.
Tarrant County College is a nearly 50-year-old two-year institution enrolling more than 50,000 students on five campuses
“Tim brings a wealth of experience to his new responsibilities,” said BTSR president Ron Crawford. “He is a gifted administrator and teacher. He is a splendid churchman.”
Gilbert was elected during a board of trustees conference call Nov. 20. He succeeds Israel Galindo, who completed a five-year term as dean and has chosen to return to the classroom, Crawford said.
Gilbert is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University and holds master of divinity and doctor of philosophy degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.
He co-authored Christian Ethics — A Primer and contributed a chapter on Christian ethics to Has Our Theology Changed? Southern Baptist Thought Since 1845.
Gilbert is married to Karen Grubb Gilbert, who works contractually for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. The couple has two daughters: Katie Lacey is director of college and young adults at First Methodist Church in Birmingham, Ala., and Mary Beth Foust is a BTSR student.
At a joint BTSR/Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Virginia luncheon on Nov. 13, Crawford said the seminary continues to explore options with potential buyers of its campus on Richmond’s Northside. Although no agreements have been reached, “progress is being made,” he said. The next scheduled meeting of the school’s board of trustees is in March.
Crawford also said BTSR is conducting a curriculum review, “looking at the courses we offer and the forms we use to provide this learning experience to students.” Any changes in curriculum would be reviewed by the Association of Theological Schools, which accredits the seminary, for implementation in the 2014-2015 school year.
The seminary also is engaged in a regular ATS self-study, which should be completed by June 2014, the president said.
Robert Dilday (rdilday@religiousherald.org) is managing editor of the Religious Herald.